Sun isn’t brighter on the other side: Amar’e Stoudemire must stay in Phoenix

"I’ve established great relationships around town," Stoudemire said. "My family is now pretty much from here because all my kids were born and are being raised here. It’d be great to remain a Phoenix Sun for my whole career.

"That’s my ultimate goal. And then to win a championship with the team. But we’ve just got to make sure that we can try to get that done sooner than later because we want to capitalize on the opportunity. We did a great job this season but we definitely want to have a better season and go further the next few years."

"My loyalty is here with the Phoenix Suns," he said. "Once free agency starts and teams are offering me X amount of dollars, then I would definitely say, ‘You know what, Phoenix? These guys are offering this much. So if you guys want to step up to the plate, we can hit a home run.’ If not, then I could settle for an inside-the-park home run. Just as long as I make it home."

Amar’e Stoudemire seems to understand he’ll find no better fit than with the Suns. In Phoenix, he has Steve Nash tossing him bounce-pass dimes off pick-and-rolls. In Phoenix, he doesn’t have to be particularly troubled with defense. And in Phoenix, he is loved like a tier-one superstar.

Everything would change – and not necessarily for the better – if Stoudemire left as a free agent this summer. There’d be no Nash. He’d have to stop treating defense like a contagious disease. And there’d likely be less spotlight and more criticism.

So the pogo stick power forward is right to consider giving Phoenix and their financially stretched owner, Robert Sarver, a slight hometown discount.

After all, the Sun isn’t brighter on the other side -even if another team offers Stoudemire more green in the form of a max’ contract.